Wire fabric.



0. R. HUNT.

l WIRE FABRIC. APPLICATION FILED MAY 18, 1908 Patented Jan. 5, 1909.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

o. R. HUNT. WIRE FABRIC.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 1B, 190B.

Patented J an. 5, 1909 2 amen-SHEET z. f

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

OZELLO R. HUNT, OF KENOSHA, WISCONSIN, ASSIGNOR TO VAIL AND HUNT COMPANY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS.

WIRE FABRIC.

Application filed May 18, 1908.

Specification oi Letters Patent.

To all whom t may concern:

Be it known that I, OZELLO R. HUNT, a citizen of the United States, residing at Kenosha, in the county of Kenosha and State 'of Wisconsin, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Wire Fabrics, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates particularly to wire fabrics of the character now commonly employed for mattresses, beds couches, etc. and my primary object is to provide a fabric of pleasing design, of strong and durable character, and which can be cheaply manufactured.

The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure l ,represents a broken bottom view of a wire mattress constructed in accordance with my invention; Fig. 2, a broken perspective view showing a portion of the improved wire fabric; Fig. 3, a view of one of the longitudinal strands employed in the fabric, Figs. 4 and 5, fragmentary views showing modifications of the invention; and Fig. 6, a fragmentary view showing a slight modification of the fabric shown in Fig. 1 whereby provision is made, when desired, for folding the fabric sharply along longitudinal lines.

Referring to Figs. 1 to 3 inclusive,Arepresents a frame; and B, my improved fabric. The fabric comprises longitudinal strands and transverse links b1 connecting said strands. Each strand comprises two substantially straight parallel wires b2, b3, each provided, respectively, with offsets or half-eyes, b4, which are struck or turned toward each other. The construction is 'such that the offsets of the members of each strand lie side by side or, in other words, the offsets of each strand are turned toward each other so as to lie side by side at points where the hooks of the transverse links b1 engage the strands. The links b1 are arranged in transverse rows, said links being provided at their extremities with hooks b5 ada ted to pass about both members of a stran at the offset points. To prevent the transverse links from shifting longitudinally on the fabric these hooks are preferably passed through each other or interlocked, as will be clearly understood from Figs. l and 2.

A convenient method of forming each strand is illustrated in Fig. 3, from which it will be observed that a single length of wire is folded upon itself to form the two members b2, b3, the extremities of the members being provided with hooks b. At the point where the wire is folded upon itself is provided a loop t7 adapted for connection with springcoils t8 attached to the adjacent end of the frame A. The hooks b may be connected with similar coil-springs at the opposite end of the frame.

The manner of connecting the transverse links with the longitudinal strands of the fabric which is illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2 permits enough flexibility of the fabric for ordinary use in mattresses, folding couches, etc. However, when desired, provision may be made for a hinge-joint connection between the transverse links and certain of the strands, which will permit the fabric to be compactly folded for the purpose of shipment. One method for accomplishing this is illustrated in Fig. 6, in which Bl represents a fabric like the fabric shown in Figs. 1 and 2, except that at alternate strands, the hooks b5 of the transverse links simply pass about the offsets of the strands, but do not pass through or lockingly engage each other. Thus, a hinge joint is provided at alternate strands, while the interlocking feature of the hooks of the transverse links at the remaining strands is preserved, so that the transverse links will not shift longitudinally with relation to the fabric.

In the modification illustrated in Fig. Ll, B2 represents a fabric having alternate strands Z) like the strands shown in Figs. 1 and 2, and having the remaining strands b composed of single wires. The same transverse links b1 are used for uniting the strands and it will be observed that hinge joints thus are provided at the alternate strands composed of single lengths of wire. In the construction illustrated in Fig. 4, the hooks on the transverse links interlockingly engage each other throughout the structure.

In the modification illustrated in Fig. 5, B3 represents a fabric similar to the fabric B2, except that the hooks of the transverse links b1 are not interlocked at the strands which are composed of a single length of wire. It is obvious that the same hinge effect is obtained in this modification as in Fig. 4.

It may be stated that the constructions shown in Figs. 1 and 6 are exceedingly strong and durable constructions, are of pleasing design, and may be manufactured at a low enough cost to place the fabric within the popular reach. It may be added that several lengths of wire may be simultaneously operated upon to produce the offsets b4, b4; and that while the wires are still in the holder they may be subjected to the action of a second press to fold them to the condition shown in The foregoing detailed description has been given for clearness of understanding only, and no undue limitation is to be understood therefrom.

What I regard as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. A fabric comprising a plurality of strands and links arranged in transverse rows and uniting said strands, all or a number of said strands each composed of two substantially straiOht wires spaced a short distance apart and having instruck osets, said links having hooks embracing said wires at said osets, for the purpose set forth.

2. A fabric comprising a plurality of strands and links arranged in transverse rows and uniting said strands, all or a number of said strands each composed of two substantially straight wires spaced a short distance apart and having instruck offsets, said links having hooks at their ends, certain of said hooks embracing said wires at said offsets and also interlocking with each other, for the purpose set forth.

3 A fabric composed of a plurality of similar strands, an links arranged in rows and uniting said strands, each strand composed of two substantially straight wires separated by a short space and having offsets struck towards each other and lying side by side, said links having hooks embracing said offsets, said hooks interlocking at certain strands and not interlocking at other strands, for the purpose set forth.

OZELLO R. HUNT.

In presence of- RALPH A. SCHAEFER, WM. P. OTT. 

